SHRESHTA NETS 2026 Exam Pattern Explained: Marks, Subjects & More
Wondering about the SHRESHTA NETS 2026 Exam Pattern? Let’s Clear it Up.
Hey there! If you’re looking for info on the SHRESHTA NETS exam pattern for 2026, you’ve landed in the right spot. I know how confusing it can be to sift through official notifications and complicated jargon. So, let’s just talk about what this test actually involves, in plain and simple English.
Think of this as a quick chat with a friend who’s already been through it. No fancy words, just the stuff you really need to know.
First off, what even is SHRESHTA NETS?
Okay, quick recap. SHRESHTA is a brilliant government scheme. Its full name is a mouthful—Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas—but its goal is simple. It helps talented students from the SC community get seats in top-notch private residential schools for classes 9 and 11.
And how do they choose who gets these seats? That’s where the NETS exam comes in. It’s the entrance test. So, cracking this exam is your main goal right now.
The NETS 2026 Exam Pattern: No Surprises Here
The good news? The structure of the exam is pretty consistent. It’s not out to trick you with weird patterns. It’s designed to check what you’ve honestly learned in school.
Here’s the lowdown on how the test is built:
| Feature | What to Expect in 2026 |
|---|---|
| How is the test conducted? | Most likely Offline (the good old pen and paper OMR sheets). |
| What kind of questions? | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). You know, with four options A, B, C, D. |
| How many questions in total? | 100 questions. |
| So, the total marks are? | 100 marks. Yep, one mark per question. |
| How much time do I get? | A solid 3 hours. That’s 180 minutes to plan and use wisely. |
| Marking Scheme | You get +1 for every correct answer. |
| The Big Question: Negative Marking? | This is the best part. Most likely, there will be no negative marking. That’s a huge relief, right? |
No negative marking is a game-changer. It means you should try every single question. No leaving blanks! If you’re confused between two options, take a guess. You have nothing to lose.
Breaking it Down Subject by Subject
This is the part that matters most for your preparation. The 100 questions don’t come from one place. They’re split evenly across four key subjects. You can’t afford to ignore any of them.
Here’s how the 100 questions are divided:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| Science | 25 | 25 |
| Social Science | 25 | 25 |
| General Knowledge & Mental Ability | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Now, let’s get into what each subject might throw at you. This isn’t the official syllabus, but it gives you a solid idea.
1. Mathematics (25 Questions)
This section covers the stuff you’re learning in your current class. So, if you’re aiming for Class 9, it’s Class 8 math. Focus on your basics.
You’ll see questions from Arithmetic—things like Profit & Loss, or maybe some work-and-time problems.
Algebra is there, of course. Simple equations and identities.
Don’t forget Geometry. Areas, volumes, those kinds of shapes.
And a little bit of data handling, like reading graphs.
2. Science (25 Questions)
Science is a mix of three friends: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The questions are usually straightforward if you know the concept.
Physics: Think about light, force, or simple concepts around motion.
Chemistry: They love to ask about common stuff like acids and bases, or the difference between a physical and chemical change.
Biology: Here, you should be ready for questions on the human body—how we breathe, how we digest food—and the basics of plant and animal cells.
3. Social Science (25 Questions)
I know, this one feels huge. History, Geography, Civics… it’s a lot. But the paper usually sticks to the big, important topics.
History: Focus on the major events and personalities from Indian history, especially the freedom struggle.
Geography: Resources in India, different types of farming, and our physical landscape.
Civics: This is all about how our country runs. The Constitution, our fundamental rights, and the structure of the government.
4. General Knowledge & Mental Ability (25 Questions)
This section is a two-in-one deal. It checks what you know about the world and how sharp your brain is.
General Knowledge: This is about current events from the past year. Awards, sports, important people in the news. Just reading the newspaper headlines can help a ton.
Mental Ability: This part is actually fun. It’s like brain games. Number series, puzzles, maybe a coding-decoding question. It’s less about memorizing and more about thinking on your feet.
When is all this happening? (Tentative Dates for 2026)
Look, it’s 2024 now, so official dates for 2026 are a long way off. But you need a rough idea to plan, right? Based on what they’ve done before, here’s a likely timeline. Just remember, this is an educated guess—the final word will always come from the official website.
| Event | Probable Timeline (2026) |
|---|---|
| Official ad comes out | Sometime in Jan-Feb 2026 |
| You can start applying | Around Jan-Feb 2026 |
| Last day to submit your form | Probably Feb-March 2026 |
| Admit Card is available | Most likely April 2026 |
| The Big Day: NETS Exam | April or May 2026 |
| Results are declared | May or June 2026 |
So, how do you even start preparing?
Knowing the pattern is the first step. Now, let’s talk about a simple plan.
Find the Official Syllabus: This is your step one. Don’t rely on guesswork. The National Testing Agency (NTA) website is your best friend here. They will have the precise syllabus PDF when it’s released.
Don’t Play Favorites: Since every subject has 25 marks, you have to give them all attention. Spending a week only on Math and ignoring Social Science? That’s a bad idea. Balance is key.
Get Friendly with MCQs: The more multiple-choice questions you solve, the more comfortable you’ll feel. It also helps you get faster. And with 100 questions, speed matters.
Smart Practice: It’s not just about doing 100 questions a day. It’s about understanding why you got one wrong. That’s how you actually improve.
For GK, Just Stay Curious: You don’t have to cram an encyclopedia. Just be aware of what’s happening around you. A quick look at a news app or the newspaper over breakfast is enough.
Where to get the real, official info?
I can’t stress this enough. For the final, 100% correct information, you must check the official sources. Other sites can be wrong or outdated.
Bookmark these two websites right now:
National Testing Agency (NTA): https://www.nta.ac.in
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: https://socialjustice.gov.in
I know preparing for an exam can feel like a huge mountain to climb. But honestly, understanding the pattern is like having a map before you start the journey. You now have that map. So take a deep breath, make a simple timetable, and just start with one chapter at a time.